Lightning Reach
Looking for quick and easy support to help with your energy bills this winter?
As winter approaches, rising energy bills can bring added stress about keeping your home warm. That's why we've partnered with Lightning Reach to help you access the financial support you are eligible for. Lightning Reach is a free, secure online portal that helps you find and apply for financial assistance - all in one place. Whether you need help covering rising energy costs, making your home more energy-efficient, or affording winter essentials, Lightning Reach is here to connect you with the support you need.
Lightning Reach matches users to over 2,500 schemes from charities and organisations across the UK, with successful applicants receiving £1,070 on average.
Here's how it works:
- Fill out a simple profile: In just 10-15 minutes, answer a few questions on the website, and Lightning Reach will generate a personalised list of financial support options available to you. This includes targeted help with energy bills, home improvements to boost energy efficiency, warm clothing, and essential winter supplies.
- Apply for support: Apply directly through the portal to multiple programs without having to repeatedly enter your information. From grants to local council funding, you'll find everything in one place.
- Get support quickly: Lightning Reach streamlines the process, gathering all the information needed for organisations to assess your application, so you can receive help faster.
Lightning Reach uses modern, secure technology to protect your information, ensuring your details and documents are kept safe.
Sign up for Lightning Reach today to see how much you could save on your energy bills this winter.
Learn more and find out how to apply at Lightning Reach (opens new window).
Frequently asked questions
What is the Lightning Reach portal?
The Lightning Reach portal is a free online service that can help you find and apply for financial support from different places. This can include grants, funding from your local council and help with your bills, all in one place. Find out more information about Lightning Reach (opens new window).
How do I use Lightning Reach?
You can sign up (opens new window) using your email address.
When you sign up, you'll make a profile by answering a few simple questions. It only takes a few minutes to complete.
The portal will use your answers to match you with any support you might be eligible for. In some cases, you can then apply for support directly through the website and give all the information and evidence you need to provide.
I'm having technical difficulties, who can help me?
For technical support, please contact hello@lightningreach.org
How is my data used?
The portal collects and sends all the information that organisations need to assess your application, making it faster for you to get the help you need. We only send this to the organisation when you are making an application and have consented to share the information. You can also read the Lightning Reach privacy policy.
Is it safe to use Lightning Reach?
Lightning Reach is very safe because it uses modern and secure technology to protect your information when you share your details and documents with the organisations you apply to. This is safer than sending personal details and documents by post or email.
Who is Lightning Reach?
Lightning Reach is an organisation that helps anyone facing financial hardship to receive support, recover from shocks and achieve financial resilience.
Why do I need to connect my bank account? Is it safe?
We ask you to connect your bank account so we can see evidence of your financial situation. This gives us read-only access to the last three months' of transaction information and account balances. It does not provide any more information than would be included in a bank statement, but it allows much faster processing of your application. We cannot see your login/password information or access your bank account.
Plaid is the technology provider that Lightning Reach works with to allow the platform to securely connect to your bank. The company is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Firm Reference Number: 804718). They are a trusted partner to companies ranging from popular financial technology applications to Fortune 500 companies and major banks.